Aerial Yoga Academy

Transcript of an interview with a local wellness clinic in the Northern Rivers region of Australia. Just who is Master Monique and why does Aerial yoga light her up?

What were you doing before Aerial yoga?

I was teaching students how to become a Yoga teacher in cities and countries all over the world. I was also learning and studying as much as I could about holistic health. I love knowledge and growth. 

How did you get involved in yoga?

I was in England and my friend invited me to attend a hot yoga class. It was so cold that I thought, well, at least I would be be warm. I went and absolutely loved it. I remember the feeling clearly. It was the most peaceful I had ever felt. I had cathartic experience...how is it possible that i created this within myself. Through my own body movement and controlled breath. Knowing I could feel that way again without any external assistance, it was something that sparked a lantern of light with-in me.

Who was your most influential teacher?

'Michelle'. He had studied directly under' Iyengar'. His knowledge was vast but he also had a playfulness about him. That is how we deeply connected. We would joke around alot before and after the training. However when the teacher training started we would both be in a very different headspace and bring the focused serious energy we needed to be present. We both shared a passionate and hunger towards Yoga and how potent it was for the mind, body and spirit.  

How did you move into Aerial yoga?

I trained under Christopher Harrison who created Antigravity Yoga. I was blessed to be one of the first people in the world to train under his guidance 20 odd years ago. I enrolled in the teacher training before even tried Aerial Yoga. It looked beautiful, elegant and playful. I could see how being slightly elevated would have so many more benefits than traditional yoga could offer. It also has an element child like fun. I feel we can lose this element as we grow older. 

You’ve been on the cover of yoga magazines sprouting the benefits of Aerial yoga.  What are the key ones that first jumped out at you?  

Where do i start? Due to the hammock floating above the ground the core is continuously activated trying to stabilise the body and find its centre. As a weightless practice it has less impact on the muscles and joints. The full decompression of the spine and joints is a un-matchable positive. In traditional Chinese medicine and other ancient philosophical teachings the pillar of ones health is placed on the flexibility of ones spine. It is believed this is the key to youthfulness and longevity. I mean how much time do you have? These are just a few key benefits that Aerial Yoga brings to ones well-being.

Your online offering is incredibly comprehensive, what sparked the move to teaching online? 

Well i spent $10,000 on my Antigravity training. Then the cost of the food, accommodation, travel, time off work and so on. I felt It was a very costly experience. I remember leaving thinking Christopher is such a nice guy, however this training is missing quiet a few important elements. I had only learnt enough poses for one or two classes. In order to learn more i had to invest in yet another upcoming Antigravity Yoga Teacher Training. Another was i felt the traditional essence and elements of yoga was missing. I knew, with over thirteen diplomas in traditional yoga, I could bring more depth, breath, holistic wisdom, love, and energy. I wanted Aerial Yoga to be affordable for everybody. I wanted Aerial Yoga to be accessible where people could learn from the comfort of their own home. I wanted people to pay only once and receive an entire training. Basically i just wanted more for people.

You’ve been teaching now for 25 years, what’s been the biggest challenge compared to traditional yoga?

Aerial Yoga is very much about time management. You have to maintain the flow of the class while knowing when to and when not to make adjustments. In the Aerial Yoga Teacher Training I provide techniques for such management. For example how adjust five people at the same time. Or use one person to adjust an entire class. Little things like that.  

What has Aerial yoga taught you about people? 

How people approach the poses and the hammock is an indicator of ones personality and the experiences they have had in life.. For example some students will not trust the hammock at first. They may need time to build trust through experiencing the hammocks support. This tells me a lot. There are students who are unable to fully relax during less physical poses, this also tells me alot. There are some students who jump in to the pose before i have finished teaching how the pose needs to be conducted, this also tells me alot. One of the most common denominators is the confidence and joy each student feels at the end of the Aerial Yoga class. It is very rewarding to witness as a teacher.

What’s been your biggest personal challenge, your weakness?    

I have to be very aware of what I am choosing to think or feel. Usually if I feel off it is because I have not fully honoured myself, my feelings and needs in some way.  I have put myself out there too much, or repressed what i was needing to feel love and supported. Also as a natural empath i am very energetic sensitivity – it has taken a life long practice to be able to find that dial and then dim it down when needed. I require alot of time in nature to recharge and release negative energy which i may have absorbed from others. 

You look half your age.  If that.  Other than Aerial yoga what’s your secret to youthfulness?

Water – I drink close to 4 litres a day. I do not eat before 1.00pm. This allows my body time to use energy towards internal healing, hydration and lubrication. After one eats ones energy is used to breakdown food. Emotionally, I never hold onto grudges. I could easily have held on too many things. But as an act of self-love I choose peace over anything. My mum always said no stress was worth getting a wrinkle on your face!    

I make sure that 90% of my diet is actually food that’s alive. Not from cans. Not refined. Since I was a kid I was naturally drawn to fruit, lots of fruit, salads, vegetables – things that are actually alive. Also due to the energetically sensitivity the food i eat affects my mood. Higher vibration food aligns more with my essence. Refined food lowers my vibration and therefor affects my mood and energy levels.

An inspiring story of determination, diligence, wanting to make a change in the world and the ever-so practical gift of health that can be found through Aerial yoga.